A decade after their last release, the heavy metal supergroup Down is on the verge of releasing a new studio album. According to guitarist Kirk Windstein, the long-awaited project is well into the recording process and is being crafted with a distinct, old-school methodology that aims to capture a more authentic, live sound.
In a recent interview, Windstein shared that the album’s direction shifted from the band’s original plan to record a collection of obscure cover songs. The group decided it was more productive to channel their creative synergy into new material. This decision proved fruitful, as the band members—Windstein, vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders—were able to lay down the groundwork for seven new songs in just a few days.
“It started out that way. And that was the talk for quite a while, and it was kind of, like, well, if we’re gonna learn all these really obscure songs, in the time it’s gonna take us to learn all these f***ing things and kind of make ’em our own, we could probably write originals. So we got together in January of 2024. Went to Phil‘s [rehearsal and recording studio]. Pepper, myself, Jimmy and Pat had gotten together and come up with a few ideas, and Phil had some stuff. We went out for three days and came back, came home, and by the time we were done, we had seven songs — not perfectly arranged,” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
“I think we have one or two songs [to do rhythm guitars on],” he explained. “And then we’re gonna go over to Phil‘s and do solos and sweetie tracks, we call it — just interlude things you put in between vocals and s**t.”
What sets this new recording apart from modern production standards is the band’s rejection of a click track. Windstein revealed that they are taking a very hands-on approach, with the rhythm guitars, drums, and bass all being tracked together. He explained that this technique, suggested by Keenan, was implemented to preserve a natural, human feel. “If one of us f***s up, we stop, go back and start it again,” he said, highlighting their commitment to a raw, unpolished sound. “It’s got more of a live feel,” he added, emphasizing that the band is producing “real music” rather than a perfectly quantized studio creation.
The album’s progress is significant, with all drums, bass, and approximately 95% of the rhythm guitars already recorded. The band will next focus on solos and vocal overdubs. Windstein praised the undeniable chemistry of the long-standing lineup, a bond he described as “magic,” and expressed immense excitement for the material, which he says is “extremely strong and they’re very old school.” While a firm release date has not been set, Windstein speculated that the album could arrive by the summer of next year.
